My first of five titles, Freddy meets Nutmeg: the squirrel that was allergic to nuts
when knowledge feels bad
We left the hospital on 14th January 2009 with a brand new peanut allergy diagnosis for our toddler. The pamphlet we'd been given by the A&E staff was clear, basic and alarming. I remember feeling terrified of my own kitchen when we got home and resolving to remove everything, clean every possible surface, and start again.
The following day I started my research. Amazon delivered me countless books and I ordered the only children's book available at the time, all the way from America. My coping mechanism - and attempt to gain some control - was to learn, and to learn fast.
I wanted to know everything but it seemed the more I learned, the more fearful I became. So many tales of avoidable tragedy: deaths, anaphylaxis-induced disabilities. Warnings of the potentially explosive effect of repeated episodes.
My coping mechanism - and attempt to gain some control - was to learn, and to learn fast.
how much do I share with Fay?
Eventually, to much relief, the American children's book arrived. I read it first on my own and oh was I pleased I did - it was awful! Clumsy, boring, ill-informed and with eye-rollingly bad illustrations to boot. Now my armoury consisted of:
NHS leaflets designed for adults
Detailed text books designed for sadists
A lanky doodle-book designed for my loft
The reality was: I had no tools to support an important conversation with Abi's big sister. We had a new reality of vigilance and restriction, and it was essential that Fay be on board with it. But I needed to find my own way to communicate it.
We had a new reality of vigilance and restriction, and it was essential that Fay be on board with it.
After a day or two of anger and frustration I decided to do something about it.
when invention seems the best way forward
I set my mind on writing a book for children that walked the tightrope well: the fine line between vigilance and fear.
Freddy the Mouse has been a bedtime story character in my family for two generations. My girls always begged for a Freddy story before bed, and (when I wasn't fit to drop) I would oblige. I decided to use a story featuring Freddy as a vehicle to convey the essentials of severe allergy management. And being the hyperactive female that I am, I decided to illustrate the story and publish it too, all within that year. Looking back now, I think it was my therapy.
I decided to use Freddy to convey the essentials of severe allergy management... Looking back, I think it was my therapy.
And so Freddy meets Nutmeg was born.
A feature for Allergy Awareness Week
the boy with the cotton gloves
Spring 2010, DHL delivered 12 boxes of Freddy meets Nutmeg to my door.
Fast forward two years and I was hosting a stand at The Allergy Show in London. What a joyous, overwhelming experience that was!
Day 1 highlight: Dr Adam Fox from Guy's & St Thomas' sought me out and asked for Freddy images to feature in his presentation.
Day 2 highlight: I met a young boy: pale, thin, wearing cotton gloves. He rushed over to my stand, lifted off his backpack and carefully pulled out his prized possession to show me. It was his copy of my book! “He carries it everywhere he goes,” his mum told me. He asked me to sign it for him. I was asked to sign many books that weekend. Who would've thought.
I met a young boy: pale, thin, wearing cotton gloves. "He carries [your book] everywhere he goes," his mum told me.
10 years later
It's almost 10 years since that show and I continue to be touched by the wonderful feedback I get from parents and schools. In my treadmill life I tend to forget all of this - I’m a busy, working mother of 2 girls, 1 dog, 2 cats. But as anniversaries arise, it is touching, and consolidating, to stop, to remember, and to reflect.
As a parent of a child with severe allergies, we’re buckled into a ride for which we never bought the ticket. And, you know what, that’s life! Life IS a ride, and we can’t control everything. But… it’s pretty nice to stop every once in a while, and appreciate the many good things we’ve experienced, and created, along the way.
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